Hey all...
I was curious... what are your tips for dealing with the pesky knots that seem to crop up in the middle of a ball of yarn. Not knots from getting tangled in my work but those that seem to be when the yarn was wound by the manufacturer. I am working on a small baby blanket and the first occurence didnt' bother me, but now the 2nd one bugs me. And to boot... I committed a knitting sin and joined a new ball in the middle of a row. However, I have joined it fairly seemlessly, better than the knot that was in the other ball of yarn, because I have longer tails to weave in. But, I am concerned that because these "prefab" knots have no tails to weave, it's a tragedy waiting to occur. The yarn is cotton, I got it from Suss Design (the Hollywood Knits gal) and it came in hanks that were wound into balls. Perhaps I should have cut off the knot and been more apt to stop when I came to the end of that ball (and properly ended the yarn at the end of a row...) Please tell me I don't have to frog it!
Any input?

I am a big fan of frogging. I frog stuff all the time... that's why my list of completed projects is so short. My theory is that whatever the mistake is, I'm always going to know it's there and I might not wear or use something with a mistake (I think I am in the minority on this topic... most knitters hate to frog and avoid it at all costs).
I'm sure the baby won't mind a tiny knot in the blanket. If youhave to add new yarn in the middle of a row, you could tie a knot temporarily and then untie and weave the ends in later.
As for the "pre-fab" knots, I would write the company and complain.... and you never know maybe you'll find out it was a bad batch or something, and get lots of free stuff!!! :-D I think mid-skein/ball knots are a bit more acceptable in handspun yarns... plus if it's natural fiber it's easy to get around them: I just break the yarn, break off the knot, and then spit-splice the two ends together... no weaving, no knots... this makes the "join" invisible and eliminates waste from having to join at the beginning of rows AND knots or bumps. But you can't spit-splice with cotton yarn But now that you know you got a knotty bunch of yarn, you can be on the lookout for more knots as you're pulling from the ball... if you see one coming, try to finish the row, cut out the knotty section and start the next row with knot-free yarn. You'll probablly have lots more ends to weave in that way, though.... or try the temporary knot in the middle of a row if you need to. Good luck!

I know there are purists out there that might take away my posting rights for admitting, this, but I have been known to knot with impunity. As long as it doesn't stick out the front or make a lump, who cares? When I knit a fair isle pattern, sometimes toward the end of the evening (who am I kidding--early, early morning) I tie a knot when I change colors. The yarn I'm using is so fine that there is no way it'll make a difference. So there. Do what you will to me. :rollseyes:

I think I'm leaning toward your thinking Ingrid! Knit without guilt I say! I'm thinking that at the rate my little nephew is drooling, that perhaps he will help to seal off any ends that could possible unravel
I think my best bet is to remove knots in hanks I roll into balls just to make life a little happier. If I see more in any other yarn I get, perhaps I would contact the company. One would think the manufacturer would catch this before hanking (term?) and then the merchant wouldn't have to be concerned with it. :|
I'll repost if anything develops...
Thanks!